What struck me then and now is the critical role that public access to Government information plays in our democracy....It is key to having an informed citizenry and to supplying our citizens with the knowledge they need to hold their Government accountable. Therefore, I have always been a strong advocate of [FOIA].

Rep. Horn was also a champion of congressional oversight. Whether he was forcing the CIA to hand over documents or exposing the Army employee who used a government purchase card to pay for escort services, his hearings served as a model for holding federal agencies accountable. Rep. Horn was also a supporter of meaningful campaign finance reform, and he refused to accept any contributions from PACs.